Amit Paley

Amit Paley’s Biography

Amit Paley is the Entrepreneur in Residence at the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian organization that provides aid and development in over 40 countries affected by war and conflict.

IRC is focused on helping those facing humanitarian crises through a range of programs, including healthcare, economic well-being, food supply and more. As Entrepreneur in Residence, Amit plays a vital role in this mission, providing innovative solutions to a wide range of causes and projects.

Amit’s desire to help others in any capacity set the foundation for his career as a leading executive, social entrepreneur, advocate and journalist. Prior to joining the IRC, he served as CEO of The Trevor Project, the largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth. Under his leadership, The Trevor Project saw a significant increase in individuals served, expanded globally and developed innovative technology tools utilizing AI and machine learning.

Previously, Amit was an Associate Partner at global consulting firm, McKinsey & Company. In this role, he advised... Amit Paley is the Entrepreneur in Residence at the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian organization that provides aid and development in over 40 countries affected by war and conflict.

IRC is focused on helping those facing humanitarian crises through a range of programs, including healthcare, economic well-being, food supply and more. As Entrepreneur in Residence, Amit plays a vital role in this mission, providing innovative solutions to a wide range of causes and projects.

Amit’s desire to help others in any capacity set the foundation for his career as a leading executive, social entrepreneur, advocate and journalist. Prior to joining the IRC, he served as CEO of The Trevor Project, the largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth. Under his leadership, The Trevor Project saw a significant increase in individuals served, expanded globally and developed innovative technology tools utilizing AI and machine learning.

Previously, Amit was an Associate Partner at global consulting firm, McKinsey & Company. In this role, he advised Fortune 500 companies, governments and non-profits. He began his professional career as a reporter for The Washington Post, covering a range of national and global topics, including working as a foreign correspondent based in Iraq, where his work was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Amit is a highly sought-after speaker who has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR and CNN.

Amit has lent his expertise as a board member for numerous organizations, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Steering Committee, the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the Board of the Center for Public Integrity and as Chair of the Graduate Council of The Harvard Crimson.

Amit Paley holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College. more less

Amit Paley’s Newsfeed

Reliefweb

IRC Announces New Venture to Ensure No Child Dies of Hunger

The International Rescue Committee has announced the launch of the Movement Against Malnutrition to take action to counter the global hunger crisis. Amit Paley, Executive Director of the Movement Against Malnutrition, has said that solutions are readily available for the treatment of acute malnutrition.

Amit Paley’s Background

International Rescue Committee

Entrepreneur in Residence

2023 - Present

New York, NY, USA

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) works in more than 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities to help people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

The Trevor Project

CEO & Executive Director

2017 - 2023

West Hollywood, CA, USA

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth. It provides individuals with free and confidential suicide prevention and crisis intervention programs.

View all Hide

Board Positions

Center for Public Integrity

Board of Directors

Washington, DC, USA

The Center for Public Integrity is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization dedicated to investigating systems and circumstances that contribute to inequality in the U.S. It works to counter the corrosive effects of inequality by holding powerful interests accountable and equipping the public with knowledge that can drive change.

The Harvard Crimson

Crimson Campaign Committee

2023 - Present

Cambridge, MA, USA

The Crimson Campaign Committee organized and supported the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Harvard Crimson. The celebrations took place on April 28 and 29, 2023, culminating in a Saturday evening gala dinner at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.

Previous Board Positions

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Steering Committee

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Executive Committee

Waltham, MA, USA

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is working with more than 250 national partners from the public and private sectors to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy).

Interviews

Leadership Matters: Amit Paley

Jul 2022

In this conversation, Amit discusses his early life, the inspiration he has found in his family, and the work he has done worldwide to protect LGBTQ+ youth everywhere.

Trevor Project CEO on the risks still facing LGBTQ community

Jun 2019

New York, NY, USA

Trevor Project CEO and executive director Amit Paley joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss some of the issues still facing LGBTQ youth today despite all the progress that's been made.

Publications

This Pride Month, We Must Remember the LGBTQ Youth Who Can’t Celebrate

Author

Jun 2022

New York, NY, USA

In this op-ed, Amit Paley calls on the LGBTQ community to support its youth during Pride Month as legislation across the country attempts to rollback their rights.

Florida’s ‘don’t say gay’ bill is cruel and dangerous

Co-author

Feb 2022

Amit Paley and Joe Saunders discuss the ramifications of Florida's passage of the 'Don’t Say Gay’ bill, which, they argue, will further marginalize and harm the LGBTQ community.

View all Hide

Memberships

World Economic Forum

Young Global Leader

2021 - Present

Davos, CH

The Forum of Young Global Leaders accelerates the impact of a diverse community of responsible leaders across borders and sectors to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Awards & Recognition

Nonprofit Professional of the Year

Honoree

2021

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Amit was honored for his work as CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project and, among his tireless work, his mission to end LGBTQ youth suicide.

NBC Out #Pride50

Honoree

2019

New York, NY, USA

The NBC Out #Pride50 recognizes contemporary change-makers and innovators, as well as veterans of the LGBTQ movement. Amit was recognized for building on The Trevor Project's existing tools to further increase its ability to help LGBTQ youth in crisis.

The Logo 30

Honoree

2019

Amit Paley was recognized for leading The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for young queer people, while also putting forth a strategy to increase the non-profit's reach.

LGBTQ+ Power Players

Honoree

2019

New York, NY, USA

Amit Paley was honored for his work as CEO & Executive Director of The Trevor Project, where he began as a volunteer and counselor on TrevorLifeline.

Fortune 40 Under 40

Honoree

2021

New York, NY, USA

Amit was honored for his work leading The Trevor Project, where he expanded the number of staff working to help vulnerable groups and quadrupled the number of youth in crisis the organization serves each month. He was also recognized for his service with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

Crain's New York 40 Under 40

Honoree

2021

New York, NY, USA

Amit was honored for his work with The Trevor Project, notably a renewed focus on advocacy and the creation of a research department that conducted an annual survey on mental health and published a peer-reviewed journal.

View all Hide

Academic Appointments

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism | CUNY

Adjunct Professor

2011 - 2013

New York, NY, USA

The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism is the only publicly funded graduate journalism school in the Northeast. Its mission is to serve the public interest in its three media centers that provide research, training, thought leadership, financial support and more for quality journalistic work.

Speaking Engagements

World Economic Forum: Driving LGBTQI+ Resilience through Equity

Panel member

May 2022

Davos, CH

At a time when marginalized communities are still at risk and anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric is rising in some parts of the world, this panel discusses how business and government can work together to mainstream inclusivity so that LGBTQI+ communities are more resilient.

Americans in Need: Responding to the National Mental Health Crisis

Featured Speaker

Feb 2022

In this Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, Amit Paley joined other leaders to discuss the growing mental health crisis in the U.S., notably coming after the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns.

Fellowships

Columbia Business School

George A. Wiegers Fellow

2010 - 2011

New York, NY, USA

For over 100 years, the Columbia Business School has helped develop leaders who create value for business and society at large. Today, it is guiding students to solve the increasingly complex challenges of the modern business era with its cutting-edge curriculum, groundbreaking research and commitment to an inclusive and representative community.

Columbia Journalism School

Knight-Bagehot Fellow in Economics and Business Journalism

2009 - 2010

New York, NY, USA

The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship offers journalists the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of business, economics, finance and technology, as well as gain a strong understanding of the business of journalism itself.